SEASONAL GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS OF LONG AND SHORT SHOOTS OF TAMARACK

Abstract

Tamarack (Larix laricina (DuRoi) K. Koch) produces long shoots which bear two kinds of needles. Early needles are present in the bud and elongate rapidly after budbreak. Late needles, few of which are present in the bud, elongate later than early needles. Short shoots bear early needles only, and stem length seldom exceeds 1 mm. Seasonal changes in length and weight of needles and stems of both shoot types were measured. In long shoots, 75% of stem elongation, more than 70% of stem weight increment, and 65–70% of late needle elongation occurred after early needles were full-sized. Stem and late needle elongation ceased simultaneously, after which time needle weight decreased and stem weight increased. Early needles probably drew on food reserves while developing, and then themselves contributed to stem and late needle elongation. Final stem weight increase probably used photosynthate from both late and early needles of the current year.Shading of current and last year's needles showed that shoots in which photosynthesis was interrupted in this way produced shorter, lighter-weight stems than did control shoots.